Frequently Asked Questions

We are always happy to answer any questions you have that are not on the list below...

Popular Solar Questions

A: No. With our little to no money down solar solutions, we have programs to fit your budget. Switching to solar can be as cost free and painless as switching your cable provider. Contact us to learn more about our $0 Down Leasing and Federal Finance Programs.

Absolutely! Putting solar panels on your roof is like placing a protective shield on it. No more direct rain, snow and most importantly, sun. Sunrays are the most damaging element to a roof (ever seen those cracked and curled shingles?). Solar acts like an umbrella, extending the life of your roof.

A: Yes. We get plenty of sun in Massachusetts. In fact, many homes and businesses get as much as 50%, 75% and even 100% of their power from their solar panels. However, even if you have only one solar panel on your roof, you will save money; two panels will double your savings, and so on. Did you know Germany has the most solar panels installed in the world (they produce a TON of solar electricity)? And most of those installations are further north than Boston. Also, the great thing about solar power is that you are always connected to the grid. That means you will always have enough power.

A: Absolutely. According to a nine-year study by the Berkley National Solar Laboratory and the National Realtor’s Association, homes with solar sell faster and for more money (about $17,000 on average) than their respective neighbors. Also, in MA, there is a neat law that prevents solar from increasing your property tax.

A: Good southern orientation, limited shading, roof pitch and enough available roof space are the criteria used to qualify a property for solar. Excitingly, with advancements in technology, we can put solar panels on more roofs than ever – so don’t pre-qualify yourself, give us a call and let us determine if your roof is good for solar– we are the professionals.

A: Yes.! You want to use a high quality product with a WARRANTY you can TRUST! Essentially, solar panels are like buying a TV. There are a lot of great options; you just want to make sure you get a good one with a warranty that will be viable in the future. We use mostly German, American and other top-tier brands.

Please ask us about the 3 Most Common Panels that we suggest you AVOID AT ALL COSTS! It’s surprising how often these are used. We tell you upfront which products are good and which to avoid. That way, if someone tells you they use any of these blacklisted products – beware.

Financial Questions (Buying & Leasing)

A: Just like going into a car dealership, you go solar by paying cash, financing or leasing. The latter two options require $0 money down prior to installation. Once installed, rather than buying your electricity from the utility, you are getting it right from your roof. If you lease, all you pay is a reduced rate for the electricity you are already using. If you buy the panels, the power is free - you just pay off the system on your terms – an easy option as the solar panels actually pay for themselves!

A: It depends. Savings really depend on so many factors. Firstly, they depend on whether you buy the panels, finance them or lease. Then a variety of site factors will influence your savings, such as orientation to south, shading and even the pitch of your roof. What we like to tell people is that if you put one solar panel on your roof, You Will SAVE MONEY. If we put two panels on your roof, that’s double the savings, and so on… We do a custom design on each property, so contact us today to find out your roof’s savings potential.

A: A third party owns the system on your roof and receives all rebates, tax credits, and SREC credits. Essentially, the leasing company is like an electric company – once installed (for no cost), you pay them for the electricity. They become your new cleaner and cheaper electric company. They are happy to have a new customer, you are happy to be SAVING MONEY!

A: You must own the solar panels in order to get the solar incentives. This includes participating in the Federal $0 Down Solar Program. This unique program allows you to take advantage of the solar incentives without having to put any money down upfront. Please note, if you choose to lease the panels you do not get these incentives.

A: If you are leasing, than the panels simply transfer over to the new homeowner or you have the option to buy the panels. If you own the system you can bequeath your buyer with FREE electricity or choose to take the panels with you. Many people find it appealing to purchase a home that has reduced utility costs.

A: At the end of the agreement, generally 20 or 25 years, you’ll typically have 3 choices. 1) the panels will be removed at no cost to you, 2) You can purchase them at a mutually agreed upon price, 3) You can extend the life of the agreement.

A: No. There is a nifty MA law that says your municipality cannot increase your property taxes because of the solar panels for 20 years. You will still obviously continue to pay property taxes, but they will not go up because of the panels.

Comparing Solar Options

A: Now. You may expect this answer from a solar provider, but it is the truth. Solar incentives are going down (with scheduled decreases federally and from the State) and equipment prices are starting to rise. It is definitely better to go solar now rather than later. When you sign up for solar it is like a snap shot in time, so you get to take advantage of the current incentives. For example, two years ago, the State Rebate was twice its current amount. And a year from now, it may be half of what it is now.

A: This really comes down to a matter of preference. For some, the prospect of getting solar panels on their house for no money down with a lease and paying a lower electric bill is simply a No Brainer. For others, the idea of owning the panels (cash, equity or federal financing), collecting the solar incentives, and having only a five year payback - Just Makes Sense. We can walk you through the benefits of both options and you can decide for yourself which option is better for you.

Environmental Questions:

A: On average, solar reduces the carbon footprint of a home by approximately 50-100 tons of C02 emissions. That is equal to planting 100 trees every year or not driving for the next 10 years. You would have to recycle for the next 500 years to equal the carbon footprint offset of solar panels on your roof.

A: No. The solar electricity is wired separately into your electrical panel, and for safety reasons, is designed to automatically disconnect in the event of a power outage. When grid power is restored, the system will automatically reconnect and synchronize to the grid and your solar electricity will come back on.

A: Yes. The same way you can get a sunburn on a hazy day, solar panels produce electricity on cloudy, raining, and snowy days. Solar panels will produce electricity with up to four inches of snow on the panels. Sweet!!

A: No. In fact, solar panels work best in cooler environments. This is because solar electricity is produced from the light, not heat. Extreme heat or humidity causes the solar panels to loose efficiency. This is one of the reasons Massachusetts is an ideal place for solar.

A: We use a special tool called a Solemetric Suneye. This is a digital camera with a compass, level and GPS built into it. This is not a time-lapse, but rather a camera with a panoramic lens that tracks the sun’s path through the sky every minute of every day of the year. These photos are aggregated and plugged into a database that includes over a hundred years of weather patterns, including rainy and cloudy days and several weeks of snow every winter.

A: A Net Meter is installed on every solar facility, eliminating the need for batteries. A net meter is identical to a regular meter, except it spins both forwards and backwards. This means that any power produced that is not used, will go through the net meter, spinning it backwards into the utility grid - giving a credit to the facility. Essentially, it’s like a solar electric bank account. This credit will appear as a cash credit on your utility bill and roll over day-to-day, month-to-month, and year-to-year. Net Metering has replaced battery back-ups nationwide and is the reason why solar power benefits homeowners and businesses when it’s day and night, sunny and cloudy, summer and winter.

A: No. This is a common misconception, but your utility company will not cut you a check. If however at the end of the month they owe you money (via Net Metering), that money will appear as a cash credit and be applied toward future bills. It’s kind of like a department store credit. Sometimes people think SREC checks are utility checks, but they are completely different. If you want to know more about this, one of our expert Solar Consultants can explain it further.

A:Solar panels are generally mounted on the roof or ground. An average residential rooftop system has about 20 panels and requires around 400 square feet of available roof space. Solar panels are usually 39” by 65” in size and weigh 3.8 lbs per square foot (or about the weight of a small cat). Panels are attached to a roof using aluminum racking - somewhat similar in design to a metal bedframe. The racking is bolted directly to the rafters of the roof and sealed with waterproof metal flashing (similar to a roof vent).

Sometimes solar panels are mounted on carport canopies. Although these installations are usually best suited on commercial properties with limited roof space.

A: The roof should be in good condition and be structurally able to accommodate the additional load of the solar panels. If your roof is older than 15 years or shows noticeable deterioration, or needs additional structural support, these conditions will need to be addressed before installing solar panels. But don’t worry about that, we are the experts and will give you a compressive analysis of these factors. While it is possible to replace a roof after solar panels are installed, it will be an added cost to the roof replacement cost. Most solar electric systems last around 30 years, so take that into account.

Solar panels are typically not installed on a slate roof, but you could replace the section of south-facing slate roof where you want to install solar panels – ask us for details.

A: Ground mounted installation provide greater solar flexibility for your site. Because the ground mount is located closer to the ground, you usually need more set back from trees than a roof mounted installation. Also, we need to keep in mind conservation or wetland restrictions.

A: Generally solar panels and generators serve different purposes. The solar panels are a primary source of power, while generators are a backup source of power. Solar electricity is wired separately into your electrical panel from the generator. Typically, backup generators operate off a disconnect switch, so while in operation, they will have no contact with your main breaker or solar panels.

A: No. Our installations are completely Turnkey and Worry-Free: With turnkey installation, service, maintenance and monitoring included at no additional costs. It is a completely worry-free process. Most of the installation is done outside the house and completed within two to four days.